By David Applegate

The Carolina volleyball team's NCAA Tournament run to its first-ever Sweet 16 appearance is the December Merchant's Moment of the Month.

Since before the season began in late August, North Carolina's four seniors - Laura Greene, Eve Rackham, Holly Strauss and Malaika Underwood - set their goal at the schools' first Sweet 16 appearance.

"I am really excited because it is our senior season, and it is our last chance to put it out there and make it to the Sweet 16," Greene said after two-a-days in early August.

Fast-forward to the late afternoon of Dec. 5 in Carmichael Auditorium and the Tar Heels found themselves warming up - quite literally the day after an ice storm froze Chapel Hill to a standstill. Carolina was the No. 11 seed and hosting NCAA Tournament action for the second time ever.

Winthrop was slated as the first round opponent of the Tar Heels, with the home team getting things going with defensive domination in a 3-0 sweep, 30-24, 30-20, 30-18. Carolina held the Eagles to a 0.35 hitting percentage as Greene and sophomore Molly Pyles each recorded 19 digs, and Strauss picked up six blocks.

"We did the things we needed to do to win," 13th-year head coach Joe Sagula said. "We blocked well, we served tough, especially as the match went on, and we were playing really tough defense."

The win earned the Tar Heels a second round match up Dec. 6 with South Carolina, which had topped American in the first round. Rackham, a four-year starter at setter, spread the ball around and Pyles and Greene both recorded 23 kills as the Tar Heels won 3-1 to advance to the NCAA Regionals. The seniors reached their goal.

"It's the best feeling in four years," Greene, who was named the schools first All-America after the season, said. "It's such a huge win for our program and our conference.

"It's a great thing to know that you worked for four years to get to this point. Going from 'others receiving votes' and getting excited about seeing your name at the bottom of that poll, to earning the respect of a top 16 team."

In the next round the Tar Heels flew out to Lincoln, Neb. to take on Hawai'I on Dec. 13. A heavy underdog vs. one of the top programs in the country, Carolina battled but was outmatched down the stretch, falling 3-0 to the Rainbow Wahine.

"I am proud of how our team stayed with it tonight," Sagula said. "Our spirit was good - we kept playing. I am proud of how our team played-especially the seniors with the leadership they provided this year."

The team's season ends with a laundry list of honors and records. Sagula was named ACC and the East Region Coach of the Year, and Greene was First-Team All-Region and the ACC Player of the Year. The team's 32 wins were the most since 1985, and the team's 32-4 record was the best winning percentage in team history. The team was ranked for a record 15 weeks, and earned a No. 11 ranking that is the highest in the history of the ACC.

Merchants is the official Tire and Auto Care center of TarHeelBlue.com and proud to bring you the Moment of the Month each and every month on TarHeelBlue.com. Click here for special savings from Merchants!